Trainee Animal Keeper (Primates)

Twycross Zoo is an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo in the heart of England. This year we are celebrating our 60th birthday! We are rapidly growing and welcoming over 600,000 people every year to our 100-acre rural site near Atherstone.

We are home to 400 animals, including one of the largest chimpanzee families in the UK, and our primate collection is up there with the best in the world! We’re the only zoo in the UK to house all four great apes and we care for many other endangered species to the highest welfare standards, including Eastern black rhino, Sumatran tigers, Amur leopards and snow leopards.

The Role – Trainee Animal Keeper (Primates)

Reporting to the Deputy Team Manager, as a Trainee Animal Keeper, you will benefit from regular supervision following structured training at the outset, caring for the animals in our primate section.  You will take a hands-on approach to ensuring that animal keeping is carried out to the Zoo’s required standards, with duties that will include although not be limited to:

• Preparing and distributing food and water to animals in quantities and manner as guided by Senior Keepers
• Assisting with the capture and restraint of animals when required
• Learning about the animals and reporting any animal health concerns to the Deputy Team Manager
• Assisting with maintaining enclosures and public viewing areas ensuring a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness, and exhibition
• Answering enquiries from the public in a helpful and polite manner, delivering encounters and assisting with public events 

Our Requirements – Trainee Animal Keeper (Primates)

• Some experience caring for domestic and/or exotic animals, ideally with prior experience of working with primates, gained in a Zoo or similar setting
• Achieved or willing to work towards an appropriate animal related qualification
• Ability to demonstrate a responsible and enthusiastic approach to work, including a willingness to work in a variety of weather conditions
• A passion for the Zoo’s work and purpose
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A flexible approach to duties and working hours
• Due to our location, you will need to have a way of getting to us under your own steam without reliance on public transport
• Whilst we are an equal opportunities employer, you will need to be physically fit due to the nature and demands of the role

The Package

• Permanent contract
• Salary of £23,299
• 31 days annual leave
• Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• 20% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Star of the month award scheme
• Access to work counselling services

You’ll work on average 5 days out of 7 per week between the hours of 8am to 5pm during the winter months, and 8am to 6pm for the remainder of the year.

More About Us

Twycross Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and research. We have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals. We aim to inspire visitors to support biodiversity conservation in any way they can.  

This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo following £19m grant funding to develop the National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four great apes and other endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2025.

How to Apply

Shortlisting and interviews for this role will take place while the advert is live; the vacancy will be closed as soon as the successful candidate is appointed. Applicants are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

All applications for this Trainee Animal Keeper (Primates) vacancy are to be submitted online, and strictly no agency calls or agency CV submissions.

Contact information

Twycross Zoo